Polarity

Recycled Magnetic Locket

Industrial Magnetism

It’s easy to get stuck on Cat Ivins’ locket necklaces – and not just because they’re magnetic. They’re handcrafted from recycled steel auto parts and personalized with quirky graphics created by Cat and other indie artist collaborators. The look is clean and simple, with an easy industrial vibe.

Cat creates the Polarity lockets at her Olive Bites Studio in New Jersey (it’s named after her dog Olive — although Olive no longer bites). The lockets measure about 1 inch in diameter and have room inside for a picture or tiny memento. The magnetic lids are interchangeable, so you can get a new look in an instant.

Each themed set has a story behind it. Cat partners with independent artists who customize their photos, paintings, and mixed-media creations for reproduction at a locket-sized scale. Packaged in a lightweight tin and cotton drawstring bag, each set comes with a 30-inch ball adjustable chain and you get three lids with every set.

Cat’s footprint may be light, but her industrial lockets make a big impression.

Shop Polarity Products

Grommet Launch Conversation

Cat

I am Cat Ivins from Olive Bites Studio in NJ. I am so happy to have my Polarity Locket featured today! The Polarity Locket is not only created from recycled industrial materials, it is totally beautiful, totally addicting (disclaimer added for legal reasons) and totally allows you to do more with less. I promise you will love it!

I am here today to answer any questions you may have about the locket, NJ, suggestions on how to reuse something you are about to throw away, what you should be when you grow up (I am very good at this one), the creation of the universe, stuff like that.

I should add that I have never met Snookie or the Jersey Housewives, I am unfortunately in my metalwork studio all day and miss all the action, but am willing to gossip anyway.....

Amy

9/27/2010 12:29 PM

What an excellent pick for the 500th Grommet! Simple, Sustainable, & Stylish. Great lockets, Cat. Congrats to the Grommet team :)

Bill Fantini

9/27/2010 4:40 PM

Thank you so much, for choosing one of my designs in collaboration with Polarity for her lockets! !!

Jules – Grommet Team

9/27/2010 5:35 PM

Bill, Which one is your design?

Jessica

9/27/2010 11:30 PM

Nice try. Magnabilities is already out there you guys. And I love my Magnabilities!

Cat – Special Guest

9/28/2010 12:14 AM

Jules- Bill is the HouseofSixCats photographer who photographed the beautiful flower and dandelion on the Wish locket!

Katherine – Grommet Team

9/28/2010 12:27 AM

@Jessica - we love them, too, but we also love what Cat is doing and her passion for collaboration with other artists. Her message of rethinking what beautiful treasures can be created from products already in our lives is one that resonates with us as well. There's room for both products in this market and in our jewelry drawers!

Kella

9/28/2010 6:39 AM

I LOVE MY POLARITY LOCKET - I have had one for many years and wear it all the time. I love what Cat is doing with the other artists, too!

Boneill

9/28/2010 1:53 PM

will these buttons work with the Magnabilities necklaces?

Cat – Special Guest

9/28/2010 3:34 PM

A big thank you to everyone at the Daily Grommet! I have been making and selling my Polarity Lockets for 3 years now on Etsy and it is wonderful to break out of the indie community a little bit and be featured on your wonderful site. And thanks to everyone for supporting recycled, handmade work!

Katherine – Grommet Team

9/28/2010 3:38 PM

@Boneill - Cat's designs have so much personality, don't they! With Magnabilities the insert is the magnet while with Polarity the magnet is within the locket, so they are not compatible as purchased. To use a Polarity design with a Magnabilities necklace you would need to add a magnet.

Cat - thank YOU for creating such a wonderfully fun product with a great story to tell!

Vincent Corona-Evans

9/28/2010 5:39 PM

Cat- so nice to see you on one of my favorite sites- my wife has loved her Polarity locket for years and we both love that it is recycled and made in America!

Jill

10/1/2010 11:59 PM

Will there be more designs coming out in the future for the lockets?? Am thinking about purchasing one, I like the design better than the Magnabilities. Is this the only web site to find them?? Thanks, Jill in Wisconsin

Katherine – Grommet Team

10/2/2010 12:59 PM

@Jill - yes we do plan on featuring new designs!

Cathy

10/6/2010 1:20 PM

I ordered a locket and another set of lids for myself and love them! I, too, would like to order several for gifts, but would like to see additional design sets first to avoid duplication. I hope they will be available soon . . .

Marie

11/22/2010 8:00 PM

I just received the mini locket set and add-on-lids that I ordered just a few days ago. I purchased these as a gift but they're so cute I'll probably be ordering some more for myself. Thanks for the prompt shipping :)

Katherine – Grommet Team

11/23/2010 12:06 AM

@Marie: You should definitely get a set for yourself! You can get extra lid sets and trade them with your friend throughout the year. We're glad you like them and glad you stopped back to let us know!

Karen

12/8/2010 3:16 PM

It seems as though any rock-and-roll type small button can be used on these necklace. Is that true? These look great and am thinking about getting a set or two for myself. Thanks for a great product!

Katherine – Grommet Team

12/8/2010 4:27 PM

@Karen: As long as they're magnetic, rock-on!

Ronda Lingerfelt

12/8/2010 5:41 PM

@Katherine - Daily Grommet Community Team:

Can you customize these - My sisster-in-law lost her sister this past year and she was a photographer...I wondered if perhaps I could send you a digital photo to add? If so, please send me the cost and estimated shipping time?

Thanks for the consideration

Ronda Lingerfelt

12/9/2010 4:33 PM

Can you customize these - My sisster-in-law lost her sister this past year and she was a photographer...I wondered if perhaps I could send you a digital photo to add? If so, please send me the cost and estimated shipping time? Thanks for the consideration

Katherine – Grommet Team

12/9/2010 5:56 PM

@Ronda Lingerfelt: I have forwarded your question on to Cat and will let you know via email her response. Thank you!

Fran Dowling

3/28/2011 3:31 PM

I haven't received my set yet but I was wondering if you have done any designs for the Red Hat ladies. I would be interested in seeing something like that in the magnet sets.

Katherine – Grommet Team

3/28/2011 4:42 PM

@Fran Dowling: Great idea!

Fran Dowling

3/29/2011 3:40 PM

@Katherine Klinger: Please let me know when you have something like this.

Thank you

Mariana Matthews

4/11/2011 11:44 AM

Is there already a black & white "hypnotic spiral" ? I would be very interested in having some created (100 or so) for resale.

Katherine – Grommet Team

4/11/2011 4:38 PM

@Mariana Matthews: What a great design idea. I will put you in contact with Cat directly.

Katherine – Grommet Team

10/14/2011 12:18 PM

This is the second time that we are featuring these fun necklaces by Polarity with a wonderful new assortment of artwork from various artists. We would love to hear what you think!

Katherine – Grommet Team

10/14/2011 12:34 PM

We are experiencing a problem with our video, but expect it to be functioning again in 15-20 minutes. Thank you for your patience!

jodie

10/14/2011 1:07 PM

These necklaces has so much personality - love them! Are all the versions available on DG? Are lids for picture lockets interchangeable with the lids for regular lockets?

Katherine – Grommet Team

10/14/2011 1:18 PM

@jodie: We have chosen a special assortment of our favorites to be featured here on Daily Grommet. Cat has many more in her store. All of the lockets and lids are the same and interchangeable. This is the type of gift you get for all of your friends so that you can swap lids!

sumi2717

10/14/2011 1:20 PM

Is your jewelry nickel free? I want to purchase your necklaces for a friend who has many allergies. She breaks out in severe, painful rash/blisters if in contact with nickel.

Cat – Special Guest

Kella MacPhee

I already own a polarity locket and plan on ordering a new lid set and some more for gifts.. what a fun and unique idea!

Sharon

10/14/2011 7:27 PM

Do you currently offer a breast cancer locket?

Katherine – Grommet Team

10/15/2011 8:26 AM

@Sharon: Cat doesn't currently have one specifically for breast cancer, but many, like the hero, wish, and believe sets capture the spirit well.

Diane

10/14/2011 8:26 PM

Cat is right. These ARE addictive. I've bought several for myself and gifts and want to get more, more, MORE. New designs are often added so keep checking.

I cut the chain on one of mine so I have a long version and a short version, depending on what I'm wearing. Love 'em.

Bill - I have your dandelion Wish designs. I wear them often :)

Kelly

10/16/2011 8:33 AM

Cat, is the Dream / Jennifer Mullen locket in memory of the young Massachusetts woman?

Katherine – Grommet Team

10/16/2011 2:14 PM

@Kelly: Actually, no. I talked with Cat and she says that this Jennifer Mullin is an artist in Illinois.

Kirsten

9/20/2012 5:51 PM

Any chance that "Hero" and "Dream" will be available soon? I love the message & design and would like to purchase for my girls. Lovely pieces.

Donna

10/14/2012 4:20 PM

Yes, would like to order hero and dream...thx please restock!!

Chew-Hoong – Grommet Team

10/15/2012 9:53 AM

@Donna Swim & @Kirsten: Now available to order. Enjoy!

Sandra

11/3/2012 3:20 AM

Hello Cat,. I'm new to your site, love your Lockets.I ordered 2 Lockets too give to my 2 granddaughters, for Christmas. They can always swap out between them,when want a difft.look. Your mind is amazing to come up with such beautiful Lockets.Having so much stuff lying around & doing nothing but taken up space.To reuse what we already have is the answer.I from old school,been reusing many years.It kills me to see people throw away so much we can "reuse" and make some amazing things.I always doing something scrapbooking,sewing,making jewlery from old pc's I have & find,from buttons,zippers,shells,lace.As you know that half the fun trying difft. ideas.Best of Everything in 2013

Mary

11/18/2012 11:33 AM

I liked "Lucky" but can't find it in this collection other than on the front intro page, even looked on ETSY. Any chance you have it. Thanks!

Desmond

11/18/2012 6:18 PM

@ Mary i am sorry but the only ones that we are able to obtain are the ones listed. We are not able to get any others.